A former baseball player at St. Joseph's University in Long Island has filed a lawsuit alleging hazing by his teammates, claiming he was attacked in a hotel room during a team trip after refusing to take part in other hazing activities.
The 18‑year‑old plaintiff says the assault occurred after he declined to join a series of abusive rituals that the team had been conducting for years, describing how the incident unfolded in a secluded hotel room.
The complaint, filed in Suffolk County, names the head coach, an assistant coach and 30 unidentified team members as defendants, accusing them of negligent supervision and assault, and alleging that the coaching staff failed to protect the student from harm.
A Pattern of Misconduct
According to the filing, university officials were aware of the pattern of misconduct or should have been aware, raising questions about institutional oversight and the handling of prior complaints.
News 12 has reached out to St. Joseph's University for comment, and the school has not yet responded publicly to the allegations.
The case adds to a growing list of accusations against collegiate athletic programs that have struggled with hazing cultures, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of safety protocols and accountability for coaches and administrators.